Whats the best free firewall?

maninblack_3

I would like to point out that although software firewalls are ok they are no substitute for a proper dedicated one. You may thinks its overkill but with the right know how zone alarm can be bypassed along with the others. If you have the equipment and a little time have a look at https://www.ipcop.org and its free and has amuch functionality as a cisco pix or watchguard

wirm

i'vee jused zonealm 4 agess and no probsg here! :-/

maninblack_3

I am not saying you will have problems, just to be aware that it can be compromised much more easily than a dedicated one. A lot of people dont know what a firewall actually does. They assume they need one get one and thats it forget about it. Its not as simple as that and i was just pointing out that it is something to be aware of. Also the question is what is the best free firewall and ipcop is by miles the best free one

maninblack

cloud_dog

I would like to point out that although software firewalls are ok they are no substitute for a proper dedicated one. You may thinks its overkill but with the right know how zone alarm can be bypassed along with the others. If you have the equipment and a little time have a look at https://www.ipcop.org and its free and has amuch functionality as a cisco pix or watchguard

maninblack, unless I'm missing something this is a Linux based product, so no good to me on XP.

Btw, you seem to know your stuff; any other Windows based suggestions?

cloud_dog

maninblack_3

Although its linux based it doesnt actually run on linux host machine.
It turns an obselete pc into a very powerful and effective firewall and proxy server. Its very easy to set up and manage as its all done through a web browser after the initial installation. All you need is a an old machine low spec pentium 100 with 32 mb ram and 1 gb hard disk. Two network cards and an adsl ethernet modem, it can work with usb ones but is easier with ethernet.
With regards to windows based firewalls blackice is very good also.

maninblack

Fran

Have you got a link to "black ice"?

maninblack_3

https://www.blackice.com

sadly its not free anymore. Kerio is another good free option on the whole i try to stay clear of windows based firewalls but i understand some people want to use them. I would say zone alarm is the weakest of them though.

maninblack

sra

From what I've read about free firewalls, Kerio seems to be the best.

I haven't used it for a while so I don't know about recent versions but when I used it, there were constant questions from it - much more than any other firewall

do you want to allow this to connect to that or that to connect to this etc etc etc - Not just access to the net but you had to give permission for one part of the system to talk to another

If I was using this computer alone then this would be ok, but when there are other less experienced useres using the same computer then there is a risk they'll get tired of too many questions and just start typing 'yes' to everything.

that's why I think Zonealarm is often better.

cloud_dog

All

Followed some links, starting from the Free Security thread here to the below web site:

http://www.grc.com/default.htm

Basically it is one of a number of sites that can probe your PC in order to identify how safe your internet connection is both external access to your PC and internal access to the web. Mine was excellent (quote "very cool") for external access but had nothing stopping trojans from accessing the web. Am now investigating ZoneAlarm, or possibly maninblacks suggestion as I can get hold of a v.low spec PC.

Btw the site also contains lots of other interesting goodies should you wish to trawl through it. I'm not advocating this site and my info should be taken at face value - nothing more nothing less. if we were on a financial thread i'd say DYOR :P

cloud_dog

penrhyn

Try this link to get free zone alarm

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

It will also monitor antivirus status where Windows sometimes dosn't. eg NAV 2003

Enjoy.